With WWE reportedly thinking of following up 2K22 with a role-playing game to add to an already stacked line-up of wrestling content, there arguably hasn’t been a better time to be both a wrestling fan and a gamer. Of course, wrestling games have had golden ages before, with many fans nostalgic for the N64 days and the Smackdown! vs. Raw era.
That’s why it’s difficult to decide which wrestling games deserve to be known as the best of the bunch. Luckily, Redditors were eager to give their view on the games that are worth players’ time.
Fire Pro Wrestling World (2017)
For wrestling fans who want something a little different, the Fire Pro Wrestling series from Spike Chunsoft has always been one of the best options. That’s because it puts the focus on grappling, making it the central mechanic of the game and one that the player has to learn properly because of the tricky timings and strategy involved.
Redditor M1BIGIEMAC thinks the most recent installment in the series is the best it has to offer, noting that the “Move Craft tool is a game changer!” With an absurd amount of moves built into the game as well, Fire Pro Wrestling World has an enormous amount of customizability, meaning it’s perfect for fans who like the technical side of the sport.
WWF No Mercy (2000)
Whilst its blocky graphics and poorly designed AI opponents drew some criticism when it was released, that didn’t stop WWF No Mercy from being an instant classic. Despite being well over 20 years old now, it’s still an immensely popular game, and Redditor Purple_Monkey34 isn’t alone in rating it highly.
Like many, they say they “had amazing times” with the game and continue to thanks to an active modding community. No Mercy‘s surprisingly detailed character creation and the fun of playing through different storylines in the championship mode were both huge in making it a seminal wrestling game of the N64 era, whilst varied moves and balanced characters ensure it can still make for some great wrestling matches.
WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (2002)
The first Smackdown! game to be released under the WWE banner, Shut Your Mouth is one of the best titles of the series’ iconic PlayStation 2 era. The changes the game made to season mode over its predecessor particularly drew praise and helped to define the series.
Though the game is dismissed by some as being inferior to its sequel, Here Comes the Pain, one Redditor thinks that this is because people are “forgetting how good SYM actually was.” Shut Your Mouth doesn’t control as well, but its roster is ridiculously star-studded to the point where every match feels huge.
Wrestling Revolution 3D (2014)
Whilst serious wrestling fans might not enjoy the clunkiness of the controls of Wrestling Revolution 3D, fans of the unique title from indie developer Mat Dickie would argue that the sheer unpredictability makes it on par with the best when it comes to enjoyment. Anything can and will happen in Wrestling Revolution 3D, and that’s its strength.
Redditor Ragd0llPhysX admits you have to be able to “get past the clunkiness” of Wrestling Revolution 3D but with the help of a controller and mods to add even more content, it can be one of the most “enjoyable wrestling games.” In addition to random elements that make each match unforgettable, the game includes more management features than pretty much any other wrestling game.
Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 (2000)
Virtual Pro Wrestling already stood as one of the best wrestling games that aren’t from WWE, but many fans believe that this N64 sequel that was never released outside of Japan was even better. Redditor DJSlimer is one of those fans, calling Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 “the only wrestling game that makes you feel like you’re having a 5-star match every time.”
That’s partly because the game shifts the focus away from the theatrics of American wrestling, also only featuring Japanese pros on its huge roster, and instead focuses on the simple thrills of competition. As a result, a ton of effort went into incorporating different moves and grappling systems, all of which paid off in style.
WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain (2003)
Whilst its predecessor Shut Your Mouth has its fair share of fans, most agree that Here Comes The Pain is not just the best WWE SmackDown! game but also that it’s one of the most iconic PlayStation 2 games in general. Redditor RenoJazz was just one of many users to consider the title amongst the best wrestling games ever.
According to them, it “had the best roster and until recently, the best variety of moves.” As the last game in the series, it’s no surprise it has the best visuals and best roster but what particularly drew praise from critics was the new mechanics the game introduced, including a deeper grappling system that only adds to the fun.
WWE 2K14 (2013)
The WWE 2K games have been iconic for a while now, but it takes a lot for a title to stand out in a series that constantly brings out new content. However, one game in the series that gets the Reddit seal of approval is the original 2014 edition, which celebrates 30 years of Wrestlemania in a massive story mode that is still considered a benchmark.
Redditor Nice-Psychology462 doesn’t think it’s been topped since, thanks to the legendary roster and, of course, the “absolute best showcase mode in the series.” The fighting itself might not be anything special, and critics noted the AI remained poor, but the sheer amount of content won over most fans.
Fire Pro Wrestling Returns (2005)
Whereas not having official licensing to use real fighters is usually seen as a drawback for wrestling titles, it actually works out in favor of Fire Pro Wrestling Returns, where the huge roster of copyright-friendly imitations of real fighters actually puts it above Fire Pro Wrestling World for fans like Redditor ribbitrob.
They argue that, in addition to the better roster, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is the best game in the series because “the AI was more challenging and realistic” compared to its successor. Considering it’s a series known for its intense grappling mechanics, that’s something that’s appreciated by its more serious fans.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 (2010)
Though the early 2010s might not have been the greatest era for wrestling games, there was one series that ensured fans still had something fun to enjoy. In fact, Redditor nlindz27 considers WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 to be the greatest wrestling WWE title as well as an “absolute gem of a game” in its own right.
Along with the kind of stacked roster players had come to expect from the series and the classic story and creative modes, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 drew praise for its use of a new physics engine that made using objects far more satisfying than before. Though some critics felt it didn’t do much to stand out, it refines the simple fun gameplay that fans loved.
WWE 2K19 (2018)
Whilst fans tend to consider older games that have stood the test of time to be the best, there was one recent title that Reddit couldn’t deny deserves to be placed among the best wrestling games ever. Redditor FishingForAl was one of the many users who voted for it, commenting that they “have to go with 2K19 for Xbox.”
With great visuals, a huge roster, and just endless different gameplay modes and customization options, 2K19 took everything to the next level. Along with a level of polish that some felt was lacking from other installments, the game’s popularity has meant a huge amount of fan-made content and PC mods to add even more to one of the most expansive wrestling video game experiences ever.
